Djokovic works the crowd in latest victory

After a spectacular volley to take the lead in the fourth set Sunday, Novak Djokovic gave a whirling fist pump, then cocked his finger behind an ear to encourage a roar from the 22,000 fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium. He looked like classic Hulk Hogan, but with more hair and fewer steroids.

Djokovic would say later, after a four-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut, he just wanted the crowd into the moment. (They had largely been rooting for the underdog to that point.)

And while it’s true the topranked Serbian was just feeding off the unique setting of the night session at Ashe, his plea for appreciation also applies in a broader sense. In a year where so much focus has been on Serena Williams’ pursuit of a calendar Grand Slam, Djokovic has also put together a remarkable season in a career that now boasts several.

Djokovic has now made the quarters in every Slam since the French Open in 2009. But for a loss to Stan Wawrinka in the final of the French this year, he, too, would be pursuing the calendar Slam. He has nine Slams in an era in which the men’s draw is loaded with major talents, having beat Andy Murray and Roger Federer in finals to win two of them this year alone.

He’s also pretty funny. Interviewed after his Sunday win, Djokovic was asked about having broken a racket with a stomp during a changeover. “I don’t see a broken racket, there was no broken racket,” he said, like a Jedi mind trick, but in front of a lot of witnesses. The interviewer, flummoxed, moved on.

Djokovic said he understood sometimes the big crowd roots for the little guy. “But, you know, it’s on you to focus on the support that you have.”

*** There have been many thinkpieces written about the lack of American stars in men’s tennis. After Donald Young fell to Stan Wawrinka in the round of 16 Sunday, and John Isner lost in straight sets to Roger Federer in the late-night match at Ashe Monday, expect a few more.

Young gave Wawrinka a fight, but lost in four sets to an opponent that simply had too many shots for the American to overcome. The Swiss five-seed hit 52 winners to only 14 for Young, and he was frequently able to close off the court and win points on sharp volleys.

Wawrinka was diplomatic about facing a hostile crowd, saying it was “a great atmosphere.”

He was asked on court about breaking a racket mid-match, which was subsequently scooped up by a couple of kids, and he said, “I’m sorry, I don’t think you will be able to use it anymore.” Then he told the little scamps to come see him after the match and he would give them something that wasn’t broken.

The crowd, cheering loudly, was on his side now.